Car firms facing pollution curbs

The European Commission has proposed forcing carmakers to increase the fuel efficiency of new cars by 18%, by 2012.

The European Commission adopted 7 February 2007 a comprehensive strategy for the European car industry, to keep the manufacturing of motorcars viable on a long term basis, at prices affordable to consumers. The strategy encompasses a variety of areas, such as reduction of administrative burdens, environmental sustainability, road safety, trade and overseas markets and research.

As part of this strategy the European Commission proposed a comprehensive new strategy to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and vans sold in the European Union. The new strategy, together with a revision of EU fuel quality standards proposed earlier in February 2007, further underline the European Commission's determination to ensure the EU meets its greenhouse gas emission targets under the Kyoto Protocol and beyond. The strategy will enable the EU to reach its long-established objective of limiting average CO2 emissions to 120 grams per km[1] by 2012 - a reduction of around 25% from current levels.

ACEA: Environment: Committed to reducing CO2 http://www.acea.be/index.php/news/news_detail/reducing_co2_emissions_working_together_to_achieve_better_results/

European Commission: Press Release: IP/07/157: New Commission strategy for long term viability of European car industry http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/157&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Press Release: IP/07/155: Commission plans legislative framework to ensure the EU meets its target for cutting CO2 emissions from cars http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/155&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Federation for Transport and Environment: Press Release, 7.2.07: Europe set to weaken key climate target for new cars http://www.transportenvironment.org/Article355.html

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